The obstacles in attitude change are as follow : (i) Strength (ii) Complexity (iii) Importance (iv) Interconnectedness (v) Functionality
(i) Strength : Attitude which remain for a long time in any individual becomes firm and stable. It can not be changed easily. Though today we follow western culture, we never ignore our own culture that includes food habits, customs, dressing etc. We find racial discrimination between negroes and whites in many western countries. Similarly racial discrimination are found among people in Asian countries also.
(ii) Complexity : A large number of factors are responsible for forming attitude. So it is complicated. The process to change such complexity does not prove to be effective. We have been trying to abolish social evils like child marriage and dowry system but we have not been successful in it due to social complexity.
(ii) Importance : Different things are important for us at different stages of life. So we behave according to the situation. For example : For an individual, his friend is more important. Then in that situation, he could ignore his friend's drawbacks, and maintain friendship with him.
(iv) Interconnectedness : Due to complexity, certain attitudes are inter connected. It is nearly impossible to change such interconnected attitudes. The inter connectedness between them strengthens them. For example : When a girl person of same caste and religion, then their parents and elders of their family are not able to change their attitudes. Because the factors like - their affection, caste, religion and similar culture provide them positive reinforcement. Thus we can say that these factors are interconnected.
(v) Functionality : If attitude towards a person, thing, situation etc. is useful to an individual and helps to fulfill his needs, then it becomes difficult to change it. For example : The attitudes of an individual towards his religion, religious leader, political party or towards a particular person prove to be useful to him, then he will not change his attitude towards them. Because they help him to achieve status, power, prestige and increase their self-respect.